The third trial of a twice convicted north-central Idaho murderer has been scheduled for next September.
Mark Lankford and his brother were found guilty in the 1983 beating deaths of a Texas couple as they camped in Idaho County. Bryan Lankford is serving a life sentence at the state prison in Boise. However, Mark Lankford has been granted two new trials on appeal, most recently after a former prosecutor failed to inform defense attorneys about details of promises made to an incarcerated witness if he testified against Lankford.
A Nez Perce County judge denied a defense motion to dismiss based on an alleged violation of Lankford’s right to a speedy trial. The defense appealed, prompting special prosecutors to seek a review by the Idaho Supreme Court. The justices declined to take up the motions, leaving the trial judge’s ruling to stand, and Lankford will be tried for a third time in Canyon County.
Lankford, who was to stand trial this month, has been assigned new counsel, prompting a delay in the proceedings until next year. (Lewiston Tribune)
